Date: Thu, 2 Jul 2020 13:02:19 -0400
Reply-To: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Sender: Vanagon Mailing List <vanagon@gerry.vanagon.com>
From: Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>
Subject: Re: Add a Room tent question
In-Reply-To: <CAHtOfz8AXgp-Y_6yQm2pEVRqsNubKkA9O8a-+7fJxxspYZFsmQ@mail.gmail.com>
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Hi Spencer, fellow 85 Westfalia caretaker.
I also have the Bus Depot awning and the side options. I've used it many many times and it has held up well. I”m pretty fast at putting it up. I generally don’t go anywhere once parked so I have not used the free standing poles yet.
I have actually not used the walls much.
I could be wrong but the Add a room tent poles seem thicker and a bit sturdier. That would also mean heavier.
I do put my awning and poles in the luggage rack and also the levelers and sometimes a few other things. The best set up for me is to use separate bags to make the lifting easier. Using one bag makes it heavy and awkward.
Having things in one bag is convenient but for luggage rack use I go with smaller bags.
I purchased the GW luggage rack box a few years ago . I don’t love it. It is hard to use when loaded. Better to put up empty and then fill. Also it really isn’t space efficient but I do get my BD awning in there and a few other items.
It may sound crazy but some day I look forward to putting up both the tent and the awning. Awning on passenger side. That would give me shade and dry storage space. Great for outdoor concerts, and long camp outs.
Plus I love playing with the camping toys.
Eric Caron
> On Jul 2, 2020, at 10:54 AM, Spencer Allen <soxndubs1951@gmail.com> wrote:
>
> Eric I have the awning and sides without a floor. I bought about 7? years ago and have used the whole set up only a few times. I"m using the jack ports mounting option and the free standing poles when we want to drive away. Anyway I found a Israile army duffle bag on ebay and it holds the awning, sides & poles very well with hd zipper lots of pockets for pegs & ropes. I'm sure this would fit in the luggage bay but it's too heavy for me to get it up there. Just thought I would pass this along. Good luck
> Spencer
> 85 Westy
>
>
>
> On Wed, Jul 1, 2020 at 9:26 PM Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
> Hi Jeff,
>
> I think it would be a wash. The long flexible poles would be two per side. The old ones were two per side I almost think the flexible poles might be heavier but they are very clever in how they hold up the wall and even dome it a bit for weather. They push up and a rope to a tent steak keeps them from springing up. You cross them like a X. They are double the length, if not more then the original poles.
>
> Hard to explain until you see it in action, then it seems simple.
> Eric
>
>
> > On Jul 1, 2020, at 9:55 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com <mailto:w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>> wrote:
> >
> > Duplicates! Good to have just in case. Do you find there’s a noticeable savings in weight or volume with the new poles? It might be worth it for me to get the new ones.
> >
> > Thanks
> > Jeff
> >
> > Sent from my iPhone
> >
> >> On Jul 1, 2020, at 7:57 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
> >>
> >> OK Mystery solved.
> >>
> >> I heard back from our friends at Bus Depot. The mystery poles were a mistake. They are the ones used in the earlier model just as Jeff and others thought. They were accidentally included. So removing them will reduce some weight, and I don’t expect to carry all the flexible poles. So that will help a bit.
> >> The tent isn’t really all that heavy, the poles are. Shipping weight is about 90 pounds. I can get that down to about 80. I’m hoping to figure out how to eventually transport it on my luggage rack. But it might be just a bit too large.
> >> When using the tent with the bus I may not use the floor, but when using while not having a bus, I think the floor will be helpful. But leaving it out will also reduce some weight.
> >> Thanks for the ideas, and you folks were right about the poles even if they don’t go with this tent!
> >>
> >> Eric Caron
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>
> >>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 8:20 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET <mailto:ericcaron96@COMCAST.NET>> wrote:
> >>>
> >>> Hi Jeff,
> >>>
> >>> I have not had the chance to attach to my bus but it looks like it will work well. I think this model is a bit updated. There is a floor that can be attached or left off. The sides can flip up into a awning something like 15 feet wide and the front can do the same. Or the sides can roll up making a open pavilion. Or some combination.
> >>>
> >>> I would not be surprised if the directions are not posted on bus depot. I can make scans of mine and email for a buyer but not sure if exactly the same.
> >>>
> >>> It is heavy but as it is temporarily replacing my bus it is worth it.
> >>>
> >>> Also, for extended camping it would be sweet.
> >>> The hardest part for me is actually figuring out how to fold it back up!
> >>> Once I figure out what the additional poles are for I could also decide to leave some poles at home. Example I might open the sides on occasion but not the front so leave the poles for that at home. Or just role up the sides and leave all the flexible poles at home. I’m liking the awnings though for hot summer camp outs. That shade is really helpful. Still the reduction of wait means I won’t always carry all the parts.
> >>>
> >>> And, sometimes just the regular Bus Depot awning is the way to go!
> >>>
> >>> But, I have directions if needed And two sturdy mystery poles.
> >>>
> >>> Eric
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>
> >>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 6:45 PM, Jeff Palmer <w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com <mailto:w.jeff.palmer@icloud.com>> wrote:
> >>>>
> >>>> Hi Eric. I have the same tent. I haven’t used it in awhile but I wonder if those two poles are for an awning or to hold the door or a side up if detached from the tent?
> >>>>
> >>>> I found the quality to be good but it’s bulky and heavy. I believe newer models had poles made of lighter material. I don’t believe this tent is made exclusively for the Vanagon and as a result the fit between van and tent isnt as good as with the original tent. By original I mean the orange canvas Westfalia tent that connected to my 79 van. I also have a mid 80s Westfalia tent that I use more frequently. It doesn’t connect as well either. I “believe” my 79 tent had a floor but neither my mid-80s nor my Bus Depot tent have a floor. The BD tent may have a separate floor that attaches? I don’t recall.
> >>>>
> >>>> Anyway it’s a sturdy beast of a tent as you know but I’ve found it too bulky and heavy for regular use. If anyone is looking for a brown model near Winnipeg let me know :)
> >>>>
> >>>> I’ve lost my instructions in a move. If there’s any way to scan them I would appreciate it!
> >>>>
> >>>> Jeff
> >>>>
> >>>> Sent from my iPhone
> >>>>
> >>>>> On Jul 1, 2020, at 3:53 PM, Eric Caron <ericcaron96@comcast.net <mailto:ericcaron96@comcast.net>> wrote:
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Hi folks,
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Anyone have one of the Bus Depot tents? I’ll be getting to know mine well this summer.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I’ve assembled it for a test run and basically have one question. I have two poles that I don’t know what they are used for. Everything else is figured out.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The directions were a bit funky as they refer to colored dots on the poles but the poles didn’t have them.
> >>>>> Over all though they were easy to follow.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> The two mystery poles are about 6 feet lone. Have a pin on one end and a round plastic foot on the other.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I don’t want to assume they are not important as they may be important for stability in some way.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I’ve emailed Bus Depot, Monday morning and called but they are busy and I’m not sure when I’ll hear back.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> So if someone knows the tent and the poles I’d like that mystery solved.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> I look forward to giving a review, I won’t be able to talk about how it hooks to a bus as I’m using it as a bus replacement. But, first impressions are very positive.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> And, man, it is big!
> >>>>> Much bigger in my memory then my long gone Westfalia original tent.
> >>>>>
> >>>>> Eric Caron
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